1
|
Carone N, Mirabella M, Innocenzi E, Quintigliano M, Antoniucci C, Manzi D, Fortunato A, Giovanardi G, Speranza AM, Lingiardi V. The intergenerational transmission of attachment during middle childhood in lesbian, gay, and heterosexual parent families through assisted reproduction: The mediating role of reflective functioning. Attach Hum Dev 2023:1-27. [PMID: 38078384 DOI: 10.1080/14616734.2023.2292053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 12/20/2023]
Abstract
The present study examined the attachment patterns distribution of 60 lesbian mothers, 50 gay fathers, and 42 heterosexual parents through assisted reproduction and their 76 children, using the Adult Attachment Interview (AAI) and the Friends and Family Interview (FFI), respectively. The study also explored the intergenerational transmission of attachment through reflective functioning (AAI-RF). All families lived in Italy and children were aged 6-12 years (Myears = 8.11, SD = 2.17; 48.68% assigned female at birth). The AAI patterns distribution was similar across family types and did not significantly differ from international and national normative data. Similarly, children's FFI attachment patterns were evenly distributed between family types, and no significant differences emerged in comparison to international and national normative data referring to middle childhood samples. Mediational models revealed that, in all three family types, parents with greater AAI coherence of mind exhibited higher AAI-RF, which, in turn, was associated with increased FFI attachment security in children. Furthermore, parents' AAI coherence of mind directly influenced children's FFI attachment security. The results support and expand hypotheses regarding the intergenerational transmission of attachment in lesbian, gay, and heterosexual parent families through assisted reproduction, while offering unique indications to support these families during middle childhood.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nicola Carone
- Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Marta Mirabella
- Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, and Health Studies, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Eleonora Innocenzi
- Department of History, Culture and Society, "Tor Vergata" University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Quintigliano
- Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, and Health Studies, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Chiara Antoniucci
- Department of Developmental and Social Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Demetria Manzi
- Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Alexandro Fortunato
- Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, and Health Studies, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Guido Giovanardi
- Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, and Health Studies, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Anna Maria Speranza
- Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, and Health Studies, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Vittorio Lingiardi
- Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, and Health Studies, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Qi C, Wang Y, Lai J, Jiao Y. Hidden hurt: A qualitative study of the microaggressions experienced by disabled children in education in China. CHILD ABUSE & NEGLECT 2023; 141:106200. [PMID: 37088010 DOI: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2023.106200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2022] [Revised: 03/25/2023] [Accepted: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Microaggressions are brief, commonplace indignities expressed through verbal or behavioral means. In China, microaggressions have proliferated with the wide implementation of education protection policies for disabled children (including learning in regular classes (LRC), special school education (SSE), and home-delivery education (HDE)), resulting in severe consequences. However, related issues have not been discussed yet. OBJECTIVE This study explores concrete forms of microaggressions that disabled children have experienced under three educational policies. METHODS We took a qualitative phenomenological approach and used semi-structured interviews to collect data. 22 disabled children, their guardians, and eight educators from three compulsory education schools in Jinan, China, were included in this study. RESULTS Microaggressions are categorized into three types: microassaults, microinsults, and microinvalidations. In LRC, typical microaggressions include the microassaults of refusal, extra requirements, avoiding needs, and accusations; the microinsults of labeling, differential patronization, and over-protection; and the microinvalidation of suspicion. In SSE, typical microaggressions include the microassaults of refusal, belittling, hiding, and ignoring; the microinsults of assumptions of low intelligence, ignoring, and distancing; and the microinvalidation of suspicion. In HDE, typical microaggressions include the microassaults of denial of privacy and denial of expression; and the microinsults of infantilization and blame. CONCLUSIONS The microaggressions that disabled children experience under educational policies produce serious disciplinary effects. To eliminate microaggressions, it is necessary to publicize the new disability rights paradigm, engage disabled children and their families in participation in the political process, develop demand-oriented assessment criteria, and standardize educators' discretion.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Caiyun Qi
- Department of Social Work, Shandong University, Shanda Nanlu 27, Jinan, China.
| | - Yuan Wang
- Department of Labor and Social Security, Jilin University, Qianjin Street 2699, Changchun, China.
| | - Jinhui Lai
- Department of Labor and Social Security, Jilin University, Qianjin Street 2699, Changchun, China.
| | - Yunhe Jiao
- Department of Labor and Social Security, Jilin University, Qianjin Street 2699, Changchun, China.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Bos HMW, Carone N, Rothblum ED, Koh AS, Gartrell NK. Long-Term Effects of Family Resilience on the Subjective Well-Being of Offspring in the National Longitudinal Lesbian Family Study. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:5149. [PMID: 36982058 PMCID: PMC10048869 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20065149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2023] [Revised: 03/09/2023] [Accepted: 03/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
The current study used a family resilience approach to investigate why some offspring of sexual minority parents thrive despite homophobic stigmatization while others do not. Specifically, the study explored the role of two specific family functioning mechanisms (i.e., during adolescence, disclosure of offspring's personal life to their parents, and family compatibility) in the association between experienced homophobic stigmatization at age 17 and subjective well-being at age 25, among 71 offspring (37 females and 34 males, all cisgender) of the National Longitudinal Lesbian Family Study (NLLFS). The results showed that, overall, the offspring reported healthy subjective well-being as emerging adults. However, among NLLFS offspring with less family compatibility as adolescents, homophobic stigmatization was related to higher scores on negative affect when they were emerging adults. Psychological counseling that supports adolescent-parent communication may help prevent the negative effect of homophobic stigmatization on the subjective well-being of offspring with sexual minority parents.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Henny M. W. Bos
- Research Institute of Child Development and Education, Faculty of Social and Behavioral Sciences, University of Amsterdam, 1012 WX Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Nicola Carone
- Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Esther D. Rothblum
- Williams Institute, Los Angeles School of Law, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
- Department of Women’s Studies, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA 92182, USA
| | - Audrey S. Koh
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94115, USA
| | - Nanette K. Gartrell
- Research Institute of Child Development and Education, Faculty of Social and Behavioral Sciences, University of Amsterdam, 1012 WX Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Williams Institute, Los Angeles School of Law, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
D’Amore S, Maurisse A, Gubello A, Carone N. Stress and Resilience Experiences during the Transition to Parenthood among Belgian Lesbian Mothers through Donor Insemination. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:2800. [PMID: 36833501 PMCID: PMC9956101 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20042800] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2023] [Revised: 01/30/2023] [Accepted: 02/01/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
The present research explored parenting, stress, and resilience experiences among 16 Belgian, lesbian, first-time parental couples with donor-conceived children aged 3-72 months. In each couple, both mothers participated in a conjoint, semi-structured interview focused on their parenthood desire; the impact of stigmatization and social support from families of origin, friends, and institutions; and couple and family resources. Interviews were audio recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using Braun and Clarke's reflective thematic analysis. Four themes were identified: (1) "The precious baby": Realizing the parenthood project; (2) "Can we show ourselves in public without prying eyes?": Family social visibility; (3) "It's complicated!": Parental legal recognition and role imbalance; and (4) "How can we handle this?": Family resilience. The themes indicated that the child's donor conception, the parents' coming out, the non-gestational mother's role, the legal obstacles encountered, and the need to find a balance between the two mothers in childcare tasks generated stress and required mothers to develop resilience strategies. The results suggest several potential areas for mental health practitioners to explore in clinical contexts when supporting intended lesbian mothers in their transition to parenthood through donor insemination.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Salvatore D’Amore
- Centre de Recherche de Psychologie du Développement, de la Famille et des Systèmes Humains (DéFaSy), Faculté des Sciences Psychologiques et de l’Education, Université Libre de Bruxelles, 1050 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Alexandre Maurisse
- Centre de Recherche de Psychologie du Développement, de la Famille et des Systèmes Humains (DéFaSy), Faculté des Sciences Psychologiques et de l’Education, Université Libre de Bruxelles, 1050 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Alessio Gubello
- Centre de Recherche de Psychologie du Développement, de la Famille et des Systèmes Humains (DéFaSy), Faculté des Sciences Psychologiques et de l’Education, Université Libre de Bruxelles, 1050 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Nicola Carone
- Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Goldberg AE. LGBTQ-parent families: Diversity, intersectionality, and social context. Curr Opin Psychol 2023; 49:101517. [PMID: 36502588 DOI: 10.1016/j.copsyc.2022.101517] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2022] [Revised: 11/08/2022] [Accepted: 11/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer, and trans (LGBTQ) parents become parents in a variety of ways, including via reproductive technologies, through foster care and adoption, and in the context of different-gender relationships. This review addresses research developments over the past 5-6 years, revealing that LGBTQ people continue to face barriers in becoming parents, especially those who are trans, of color, and have limited financial means. Bisexual and trans parents are increasingly centered in research, and have unique experiences of parenthood related to navigating (in)visibility and stigma in various contexts. Recent work has documented the impacts of sociopolitical events (e.g., COVID-19, the Trump presidency) on LGBTQ parent families, particularly those with multiply marginalized statuses. Likewise, an increasingly intersectional lens has exposed how axes of privilege and oppression impact LGBTQ parents' sense of belongingness in various contexts and social groups. Finally, recent work has continued to document the powerful role of context and family processes in the lives and adjustment of youth raised by LGBTQ parents. More research is needed on LGBTQ parents with marginalized identities that have been poorly represented in the literature, such as nonbinary parents and parents with disabilities.
Collapse
|
6
|
Shenkman G, Carone N, Mouton B, d’Amore S, Bos HMW. Assisted Conception Socialization Self-Efficacy Among Israeli Lesbian, Gay, and Heterosexual Parent Families and its Association with Child Externalizing Problems. JOURNAL OF CHILD AND FAMILY STUDIES 2023; 32:180-196. [PMID: 35308412 PMCID: PMC8919160 DOI: 10.1007/s10826-022-02286-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/22/2022] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
This questionnaire-based study compared 36 Israeli lesbian mother families (n = 72 lesbian mothers) formed by donor insemination, 39 Israeli gay father families (n = 78 gay fathers) formed by gestational surrogacy, and 36 Israeli heterosexual parent families (n = 72 heterosexual parents) formed by assisted reproduction (without donated gametes), all with a target child aged 3-10 years. The families were examined for parents' assisted conception socialization self-efficacy, depression, negative and positive affect, life satisfaction, positivity, resilience, social support, and child externalizing problems. Multiple factors associated with child externalizing problems were also examined. Multilevel modeling analyses indicated that parents' assisted conception socialization self-efficacy did not differ between family groups; however, lesbian mothers and gay fathers reported fewer child externalizing problems and greater social support, relative to heterosexual parents. Also, lesbian mothers-but not gay fathers-reported lower levels of depression, greater life satisfaction, and more positivity than did heterosexual parents. Finally, irrespective of family type, greater assisted conception socialization self-efficacy was associated with fewer parent-reported child externalizing problems. Findings are interpreted in light of the cultural socialization framework and Israel's familistic and pronatalist environment. Implications for health professionals, educators, and policymakers working with diverse family forms are discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Geva Shenkman
- School of Psychology, Interdisciplinary Center (IDC), Herzliya, Israel
| | - Nicola Carone
- Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Bénédicte Mouton
- Research Centre of Clinical Psychology, Psychopathology and Psychosomatics, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Salvatore d’Amore
- Research Centre of Clinical Psychology, Psychopathology and Psychosomatics, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Henny M. W. Bos
- Faculty of Social and Behavioral Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Farr RH, Tornello SL, Rostosky SS. How Do LGBTQ+ Parents Raise Well-Adjusted, Resilient, and Thriving Children? CURRENT DIRECTIONS IN PSYCHOLOGICAL SCIENCE 2022. [DOI: 10.1177/09637214221121295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) parents raise well-adjusted children. How do they accomplish this feat despite stigma and discrimination? Psychological scholarship (often based in the United States and other Westernized countries) has typically used atheoretical, deficit models based on biased assumptions to compare the outcomes of children of LGBTQ+ parents and children of cisgender heterosexual parents. However, research on processes and socialization within LGBTQ+-parent families suggests that LGBTQ+ parents demonstrate flexibility, creativity, and intentionality, which are associated with children’s positive outcomes and resilience. We recommend moving from deficits-based, comparative approaches to intersectional, queer-theory-based, and strengths-based alternatives. We argue that this conceptual shift will generate new questions and thus new knowledge about the unique strengths of LGBTQ+ parenting that positively influence children’s development. Such findings may provide insights about parenting practices and ways to support effective parenting that could benefit all children and families.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Samantha L. Tornello
- Department of Human Development and Family Studies, Pennsylvania State University
| | - Sharon S. Rostosky
- Department of Educational, School, and Counseling Psychology, University of Kentucky
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Pereira H. Children of Single Fathers Created by Surrogacy: Psychosocial Adjustment Considerations and Implications for Research and Practice. CHILDREN (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 9:1644. [PMID: 36360372 PMCID: PMC9688871 DOI: 10.3390/children9111644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2022] [Revised: 10/24/2022] [Accepted: 10/27/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The existence of single-father families formed by surrogacy is becoming a more visible reality, even though this type of family organization is still perceived with stigma and negative attitudes by more traditional sectors of society, because it raises some concerns regarding the psychosocial well-being of children who are born into single-fathers' families via surrogacy, and in many cases, to gay single men who wish to become fathers. On the other hand, available research on the psychosocial well-being of these children is still very scarce and limited to a handful of Western countries. Hence, it is of utmost importance to examine studies that explore the psychosocial adjustment of these children. In this mini review, I show that all the studies revised demonstrate the good psychosocial adjustment of these children, and that they are as likely to flourish as children born into traditional families, even if they may find themselves exposed to prejudice and stigma. In conclusion, single fatherhood and surrogacy do not contribute to any adverse consequences to the children's psychosocial development and adjustment, and there is no observed evidence to why single men, irrespective of their sexual orientation, should not be fathers via surrogacy. Finally, implications for future research and interventions are also discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Henrique Pereira
- Department of Psychology and Education, Faculty of Social and Human Sciences, University of Beira Interior, Pόlo IV, 6200-209 Covilhã, Portugal;
- Research Centre in Sports Sciences, Health Sciences and Human Development (CIDESD), 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal
| |
Collapse
|